CYCLE HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

Total Days Cycling

3 - 4 Days

Cycle Holiday Length

120 Miles/193 Kms

Cycle Route Difficulty

Challenging

HOLIDAY OVERVIEW

The Sandstone Way is a relatively new cycle route, opened in 2015 from Berwick upon Tweed to Hexham and taking you through some of the more rural, rugged and beautifully unspoilt areas of Northumberland.
The route follows a natural sandstone ridge and can be ridden either north to south or south to north.
Designed solely as a MTB route, this should not be attempted on anything other than a decent MTB bike.

Cycle Route Highlights

Breathtaking views from start to finish

Challenging riding in the middle sections

The stunning island of Lindisfarne (Holy Island) which gets cut off by the tide twice a day

St Cuthberts Cave, Cragside House, Wallington Hall

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transport

Depending upon where you spend your first night, we can put you up in either Whitehaven, Penrith or Newcastle, we will supply you with transport to the start of the route or from the end of the route back to your vehicle, train station or airport. We operate two fully licenced 8 seater large minibuses and cycle trailers so that your ride across is in comfort.

Accommodation

Unlike some other operators, we only use good quality, cycle friendly, ensuite accommodation that is on, or close to the cycle route. All accommodation is on a Bed & Breakfast basis with a full cooked breakfast and vegetarian options always available. We also try and ensure that there is always somewhere close by to have a decent evening meal and some light refreshments. Prices are based on twin or double rooms with Single room options available (may be subject to an additional charge) You can have your first night in Whitehaven, Penrith or Newcastle.

Route Maps and Route Notes

You will be given a genuine copy of the Sustrans Sea to Sea Cycle route map to use throughout the ride and to keep for posterity. You will also get general information about the route, detailed maps of where your accommodation is each night, a list of cycle repair shops along the route along with other emergency contact numbers in case of any major or minor mishaps. We will also send you out a recommended list of what we believe you will require for your ride.

Emergency Recovery

If you do have a disaster and are totally stuck, either physically, mentally or mechanically, then we offer an emergency recovery service (up to 4 hour response) to get you off the route and to safety. May be chargeable depending upon circumstances.

Certificate of Completion

We all like a “trophy” to prove that we’ve done something! At Pedal Power we will give everyone who completes the ride a signed and dated Certificate of Completion to prove to those doubters back at home that you did do it, we will also take photos at the start and finish of the ride of individuals and groups as required.

Baggage transfers

We will pick-up your bag each day (1 bag per person, up to 15kg) label it and transfer it on to your next nights accommodation. If you have additional bags that you require transferred or bags that you want stored we can happily do that for you as well.

MAP & LOCATION

Itinerary

Suggested 4 Day Itinerary (North to South). Please remember this is your holiday, we can tailor
any package to fit your requirements and agenda.

Day 1 - Arrive Berwick or Hexham

Berwick has a mainline train station, trains from London take around 4 hours and are generally direct. If you prefer you can drive to Hexham and leave your car there, we can transfer you to the start at Berwick.
There is free long stay car parking in several carparks in Berwick.

Day 2 - Berwick to Wooler (33 Miles / 53 kms)

Starting just outside the fortified walls of Berwick next to The Sandgate entrance you ride over the mediaeval road bridge to the south side of the River Tweed and follow the stunning Northumberland coastline south (Sustrans Cycle Route 1) as far as Beal.

Here you can take a detour if the tides allow on to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, whose religious history dates back to the 6th Century.

Minor roads and tracks take you up past St Cuthbert’s Cave, (Cuddys Cave) associated as the resting place of St Cuthbert’s body in the 7th Century. Before heading down through Chatton and past Chillingham Castle, famous for its Wild Cattle which have lived here since the Middle Ages. It is then a short ride to Wooler for your overnight stop.

Day 3 – Wooler to Rothbury (37 miles – 60kms)

Today you will head out into the true heart of Northumberland, remote and rural, often with unbroken views of stunning countryside whichever way you look.

The ride undulates along the edge of the National Park and Ilderton Moor before turning west into Ingram Valley and then off-road over Wether Hill with a well earned decent afterwards.

It’s then a traverse along minor roads to Alwinton (good lunch stop) before turning south east again and heading through Holystone, Snitter and on into Rothbury.

Day 4 – Rothbury to Bellingham (24 miles / 38kms)

Today is a short ride but starts with an almighty climb up onto The Simonside Hills and some great riding through Harwood Forest.

When you reach East Woodburn there are a couple of alternative routes you can add on if you so desire, however the main route will take you to West Woodburn (lunch stop) and onwards to Bellingham.

Day 5 – Bellingham to Hexham (21 miles / 32kms)

From Bellingham you head south past the edge of Kielder Forest along bridleways, tracks and minor roads with a few short steep climbs and stream crossings to reach the site of Milecastle 30 on Hadrian’s Wall. From here it’s a nice easy ride to the finish point at Tynedale Golf Club.

The finish point is Tynedale Golf Clubhouse

DATES & PRICES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Generally our package deals are “bespoke” to the individuals, however please find detailed below some of our more standard requests, though we can tailor any package to your requirements:

No of Riders

No of Nights

No of days riding

Price

2

3

3

£325

Up to 4

3

3

£295

Up to 8

3

3

£275

2

4

4

£375

Up to 4

4

4

£345

Up to 8

4

4

£325

2

5

5

£425

Up to 4

5

5

£395

Up to 8

5

5

£375

Single room

£20.00/night

Solo Rider supplement

+50%

Cycle Hire – Giant Escape or Giant Alight Hybrid – 3 days

£75.00

Additional days

+£20.00/day

Electri Bike Hire – 3 days

£125.00

Additional days

+£30.00/day

– Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin or double ensuite room on a B&B basis and includes baggage transfers, maps, route notes, emergency recovery and transfers

– For numbers greater than 8 or for families sharing a family room please call

– Additional nights before or after, or stop overs during your trip can be added

– We can tailor any package to fit your specific requirements

We do offer discounts for family groups with younger children where they are sharing a family room – just contact us to find out more!

Gallery

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